Latvia / Russia, early 20th century
Mark Gendler was born in Latvia, where he began playing the violin as a young child. When the Nazis invaded in the fall of 1941, Mark’s mother acted with extraordinary courage—fleeing eastward into Russia with her son and his cherished violin. The instrument became a lifeline through displacement and exile, its music a reminder of home and survival.
When the war ended, Mark and his mother were living in Kazan, Russia, from where they slowly made their way back to Riga, Latvia. There, Mark pursued formal studies in music, eventually becoming a well-known performer and composer. His lifelong devotion to music also led him to work as a piano tuner for local orchestras—a craft that kept him connected to the concert halls and musicians he loved.
Years later, Mark immigrated to Israel, where he continued his musical life and shared his artistry with new generations.
Carried from Latvia to Russia, back to Latvia, and finally to Israel, Mark’s violin embodies the unbreakable thread between music and survival. Though it no longer sounds in performance, it continues to sing within the Violins of Hope collection—an enduring reminder that even in times of darkness, music gave voice to resilience and life itself.
